IF YOU THIRST FOR A HOMELAND

A collaboration between the Jewish Federation’s Cleveland Israel Arts Connection and the Chrysler Museum of Art Trudy Wiesenberger, Curator, Cleveland Israel Arts Connection

Carolyn Swan Needell, Ph.D., Curator, Chrysler Museum of Art

Roe Green Gallery, Jewish Federation of Cleveland Jack, Joseph and Morton Mandel Building 25701 Science Park Drive, Beachwood

Presented by the Jewish Federation’s Cleveland Israel Arts Connection

by Orit Fuchs

Presented by District Gallery

May 9 – June 6, 2023

District Gallery

The Van Aken District, Shaker Heights

Orit Fuchs lives and works in Tel Aviv and is a storyteller with a deep appetite for artistic self-expression. Having worked as an art director for some of Israel’s top agencies, Fuchs has a firm grasp on pop culture and gender roles in contemporary society. At the center of her work, Fuchs places the female image in monumental portraits of strong, defiant women with lots of attitude.

Fuchs explores the interactions between the object and the subject, while making a humorous and ironic statement about contemporary culture. Her work presents a unique contemporary language centered on private being and mental states, and gender issues in cultural-social contexts.

• For information visit www.district-gallery.com or call 216-218-9307.

Israeli born glass artist Dafna Kaffeman has been challenging viewer’s notions about tolerance, the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, and morality in Europe, the United States and Scandinavia.

Her exquisitely crafted plant specimens, made in flame-worked glass from Israel’s natural world, are combined with embroidered texts. Handkerchiefs, often associated with mourning, are the backdrops for many of the glass plants. Inspired by nature, her pieces convey the complexities of life in Israel. Her work ignites an intellectual and emotional response.

• To schedule group tours or individual visits, email israelarts@jewishcleveland.org or call 216-593-2890.

Final Open Houses

Sunday, February 19 @ 1-3 pm

Tuesday, February 21 @ 6-8 pm

Sunday, March 19 @ 1-3 pm

Tuesday, March 21 @ 6-8 pm

Samantha Baskind, Ph.D., Curator

Presented by Cleveland State University

January 8 – March 25, 2023

Galleries at CSU

1307 Euclid Avenue, Cleveland

The identity of Indian American-Jewish artist Siona Benjamin is layered and multifaceted, just like her artwork.

Raised as a Jew and member of the Bene Israel community in largely Hindu and Muslim Mumbai, Siona Benjamin attended Catholic and Zoroastrian schools before moving to the US. Benjamin’s transcultural view has been shaped by diverse, complex experiences and is inspired by history and mythology, as illustrated by the captivating characters and symbolism that populate her art.

• Visit artsandsciences.csuohio.edu/galleries/galleries or call 216-687-2103.

• Gallery hours: Tu-Sa, 12-5 pm.

with Siona Benjamin

Presented by Cleveland State University and CWRU’s Siegal Lifelong Learning Program

Friday, March 3 @ 12 pm

Landmark Centre Building, 25700 Science Park Drive, Beachwood

In this talk, Siona Benjamin will discuss what it was like to grow up Jewish in India, show images from her artwork and provide historical background about the three distinct Jewish communities in India: the Bene-Israel, the Cochini Jews, and the Iraqi Jews.

• For information visit www.case.edu/lifelonglearning or call 216-368-2091.

Presented by CWRU’s Siegal Lifelong Learning Program

Wednesdays, March 1 – 22, 2023 @ 10 am

Landmark Centre Building, 25700 Science Park Drive, Beachwood

The idea of Jewish art has been discussed, embraced, and even denied by Jewish artists and art scholars for the last century. This course will explore fascinating questions such as: What are the features that define “Jewish art”? If the artist is Jewish, does that make their work Jewish art? Why has Jewish ceremonial art (Judaica) historically been regarded differently from the art of other ethnicities and cultures? Who are some Jewish artists that you’ve probably never heard of and why not?

Instructor, Linda Sandhaus, M.D. is a docent at the Cleveland Museum of Art.

• For information visit www.case.edu/lifelonglearning or call 216-368-2091.